The seed reserves of Euterpe edulis finished when the seedlings showed the 2nd green leaf completely expanded. This fact could be the cause of the great mortality observed in field conditions by seedlings showing the 3rd green leaf. Seedlings of Euterpe edulis, until age of five months, did not present higher growth under higher nutrition. Older seedlings, however, presented higher shoot dry weight when Hoagland solution was added.
Euterpe edulis; mineral nutrition; seed reserves